Adjusting device for wireless apparatus



May 1, 192s. 1,668,127

"` v H. .WATERHOUSE ADJUSTING DEV-16E Fox WIRELESS APPARATUS Filed lla'y 11. 1922 Patented May l, 1.928.

HAROLD D. WATERHOUSE, F WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T WILLIAM A READY, or BRooKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS.

i ADJUSTING DEVICE FOB WIRELESS APPARATUS.

` Appucaucn mea nay 11,`

This invention relates` to Wireless apparatus, more specifically to adjusting `mecha-` nism for positioning the dial or other circular partconneeted with an adjustable part of suchapparatus, such as the varioineter,

variocoupler or condenser.

`Devices ofthis'character are usually provided With a dial connect-ed to the movable part, b Which it may be moved for the purpose o tuning to various Wave lengths and for other purposes. In order `to secure the best results, particularly for telephoning, it is necessary that a very delicate settingof the'dial shall be possible. i If the dial turns a littlehard there is-a strong 'tendency for it .j to jump when an attempt is made to move ,it through a slight angle and if it moves paratus.

easily so as to overcome the jumping, the dial and connected parts are likely to turn enough todestroy the` accuracy of the setting, due to vibration or jarring ofthe apy'()ne object of the present invention is to .provide a device for setting the dial of a Wireless apparatus, by which it maybe moved through minute angles with accuracy and Without jumping or over-running.

Another object is to provide such an adjusting device which will `hold the. parts in adjusted position withoutdanger lof-accidental displacement. i

.The various features of the invention employedv to the accomplishment of these objects, and such others as may hereinafter appear, will best be understood from. the following description together With the accompanying drawings in which:

Fi ure 1 is a front elevationof a piece of wire ess apparatus showing a dial and the adjusting means therefor; and y Figure 2 is a section on an `enlarged scale, taken on theiline 2-2 of Fig. 1. v A dial 5 shown in Fig. 1 is connected through suitable mechanism, with the 'part of theapparatusto be adjusted so as to turn it about an axis or to slide it with relation to its cooperating para The dial` is usually interna `formed in the annulus .1.3, of` substantially 1922. sum1 1ro. 560,024.

provided with a knob 6 by which it may be turned. 1 It is diicult, however, to turn the dial accurately through small angles, such as a part of a unit indicated by graduations 7 with reference to a fixed pointer 8.

This invention contemplates the provision of an actuator for the dial 5, capable of being moved into inoperative position to permit rapid but rouglradjustment of the dial by the knob 6. In order to permit the device to readily attached to apparatus in common use, it is preferably arranged for fric- (tiolal engagement with the periphery of the ia gage the edge lof the dial `which surface, as lllustrated, is formed by a comparatively soft rubber band 10 carried by an annulus 13. A knob 11 is operatively connected with the annulus and adapted to be rotated about a stud. formed by a screw 12. This knob may be directly connected with the band and the reducing ratio of the diameter of the band and the dial may be utilized to `produce a delicate adjustment ot the dial. It is preferred, however, to introduce a speed reducing mechanism` between the knob and the dial engaging member. The speed reducing'mechanism is illustrated as a diierential ear mechanism comprising a fixed gear 14 and a rotatable gear 1.5

the `saine pitch diameter the gear 14 but having one tooth more or less than that gear. Both of these gears are in mesh with a pinion 16 freely rotatable on a stud 17 mounted eccentrically onl'the knob 11. By this construction, one revolution of the knob 11 causes the movable gear to be advanced an amount equal to one tooth, thereby turning .the `dial af corresponding amount. iIt is preferred that this amount shall be equal to `one unit of the graduations on the dial.

In order that the device may be moved into `and out of operative relation to the dial 5, itis carried by an arm j 19 pivotally mounted on a screw 20 fixed on the front of the box, 21.- The "free end oi the. arm is turned up at 22 to provide a handle and a spring 23 is arranged to hold the arm yieldingl toward the dial as shown in Fig. 1, or, in t ie other position ot the arm, to hold it in inoperative position with respect to the dial. The arm may also bel provided with frictional means for holding it in poistion, such as the screw 9A which holds a spring washer 25 against the arm.

In the embodiment of the invention selected tor the purpose of illustration, the screw 12 forming a pivot. for the adjusting knob 11, is mounted' in a cui 2G fixed in a recess in the arm 19. The fixed gear 14 is formed in a boss pressed up from the arm 19, the outside of which forms a bearing for the annulus 13.

The operation of the device is apparent from the foregoing description and it is also obvious that it can be readily attached to the various wireless instrumentsnow in common use.

It is to be understood that the particular embodimentof the invention illustrated and described, isbut one example of several modifications which'may be employed, and which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new, is

1. An adjusting device for wireless apparatus, including a dial, aroll movable into and out of operative relation to the dial, a knob for turning the roll, and a differential gear connection between the knob and the roll.

An adjusting device for wireless apparatus, including a dial, an arm mounted to swing toward and from the dial, a roll mounted on the arm and adapted to engage the dial. a differential gear mechanism for turning the roll, and means for holding the arm in position toward or from the dial.

il. Au adjusting device for wireless apparatus, including a dial, an arm mounted to swing toward and from the'dial, an internal gear formed in the arm, an annulus havin an internal gear of a different number o teeth concentric with the first gear, a yielding dial engaging surface on the annulus. a knob carry a gear in mesh with the internal gears, and .means for holding the arm toward the dial.

4. A freely rotatable dial, a pivotally mounted arni. a roller journaled upon the arm for rotation about. an axis parallel with the` axis ot the dial and movable into and out of.` contact with the periphery of the dial-when the arm is moved about its pivot, and a handle Connected with the roller for rotating the latter with respect to the arm to rotate the dial.

l5. A freely rotatable dial, a pivotally mounted arm, a rollerjournaled upon the arm and movable into and out of contact with the periphery. of the dial when the arm is moved about its pivot, ahandle connected with the roller for rotating the latter with respect to the arm to rotate the dial, and a stop for limiting the movement of the arm in one direction about its ivot.

G. A freely rotatable ial, a pivotally mounted arm, a. roller journaled upon the arm, i'or rotation on an axis parallel with the axis of the dial and movable into and out of contact with the periphery of the dial when the arm is moved about its pivot, a handle connected with theroller. for` rotating the latter with respect tothe arm to rotate the dial, and' a handle connected with the arm` for moving the latter about its pivot.

7, A freely rotatable dial, a pivotally mounted arm, a roller connected with the arm for rotation on an axis substantially parallel with the axis of the dial andmow able into and out of contact with the periphery of the dial when the armis moved about its pivot, a handle connected with the roller for rotating the `latter with respect to the arm to rotate the dial, and a4 spring for assisting the movement of the-arm about its pivot. i

8. A freely rotatable dial, a lever, a'roller supported by the lever for rotation about an axissubstantially parallel with the axis of' the dial, said roller movable into vand out of engagement with the dial as the lever is moved about its pivot, and a knob like device connected with the roller for rotating the latter with respect to the lever to rotate the dial.

9. A freely rotatable dial, a pivotally mounted lever, a roller mounted upon the lever for free rotation with respect thereto and onV an axis substantiall parallel with the axis of the dial, said rol er being adapted`to engage the periphery of the dial when the lever is moved in one direction about its pivot, and a knoblike device connected with the axis of the roller for rotating the latter to rotate the dial.

10. A freely rotatable dial, a pivotally mounted lever, a roller mounted uponl the lever for free rotation with respect thereto on an axis substantially parallel with the axis of the dial, said roller being adapted to engage the periphery of the dial when the lever is moved in one direction about its pivot, a knob like device connected with the axis of the roller for rotating the latter to rotate the dial, and a spring for holding the roller against the periphery of the dial;

11. A ,freely rotatable dial, a pivotally mounted lever, a roller mounted upon the lever for free rotation with respect thereto, said roller being adapted to engage the periphery of the' dialwlren tiie lever is moved in one direction about its pivot, al knob like device connected withv the axisrof thel for rotating the latter to rotate theidiai', and

a spring for maintaining the lever in either of the `positions to which it has been adjusted about its pivot.

12. A freely rotatable dial, a freely shiftable support, a roller mounted upon the support for rotation about an axis substantially parallel with the `axis of the dial, said roller being movable into and out of engagement with the dial as the said support is moved toward and away from the dial, re- 10 silient means for maintaining the support in each of its adjusted positions and a knob like device connected with the roller `for rotating the latter with respect to the said support to rotate the dial. 15 Signed at Hartford, Connecticut, this 9th day of May, 1922.

HAROLD D. WATER-HOUSE. 

